| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Bolivar Heights Trail |
| | Union and Confederate soldiers transformed these fields into campgrounds full of dingy tents, smoky campfires and boiling kettles during the Civil War. Shouting officers drilled their troops until Bolivar's grass was trampled into precision parade grounds. Cannon shells shrieked during two battles here. Later, somber faces watched comrades' coffins lowered into Bolivar's disturbed soil. Follow this trail to discover the story of Bolivar Heights and some of the people who walked along . . . — Map (db m5319) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Harpers Ferry — Prize of War |
| | “It may be said with truth that no spot in the United States experienced more of the horrors of war.” – Joseph Barry, Harpers Ferry resident Trapped on the border between North and South, Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times during the Civil War. Because of its position on the Potomac River—an international boundary for four years from 1861 to 1865—the town’s industries were destroyed, its buildings were abandoned, its mountains were raped, and the . . . — Map (db m23188) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Historic Heights |
| | Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry thrived as an industrial community during the first half of the 19th century. By 1860, nearly 3,000 residents lived in the Harpers Ferry area and its Federal armory produced more than 10,000 weapons per year. Defending Harpers Ferry proved strategically important to both North and South when the civil war erupted in 1861. To occupy and defend this border area, a military . . . — Map (db m5316) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Facing the Enemy |
| | Union Commander Dixon Miles knew the Confederates were coming. His cavalry reported the Southern troops advancing from three different directions. Ordered to "hold Harpers Ferry until the last extremity." Miles divided his forces to retain Maryland Heights - the highest mountain - and to defend Bolivar Heights - the longest ridge. As Miles watched "Stonewall" Jackson's 14,000 men spread across Schoolhouse Ridge, word arrived that Miles's soldiers had lost the fight for Maryland Heights. Bolivar . . . — Map (db m5322) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Closing the Doors |
| | Resting with his troops in Frederick, Maryland, 20 miles northeast of here, Confederate General Robert E. Lee had hoped the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry would abandon its post when he invaded the North. They did not. Lee decided to attack. He divided his army into four columns, sending three to seize the three mountains overlooking Harpers Ferry. On the first day of the battle, the Confederates captured Loudoun Heights, south of the Shenandoah River. North of the Potomac, Union forces . . . — Map (db m5351) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — The First Year of the War |
| | "The people for the most part were tongue-tied with terror...overwhelmed with ruin..." Porte Crayon, war correspondent April 18, 1861 The armory and arsenal's destruction signaled the beginning of the war and the end of prosperity in Harpers Ferry. On April 18, 1861, the day after Virginia seceded from the Union, Virginia militia awaited reinforcements on this ridge while preparing to seize Harpers Ferry. At 10:00 p.m. the out-numbered Federal garrison blew up the arsenal and . . . — Map (db m5393) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Rats in a Cage |
| | The Union army refused to give up. Frustrated by the Federals' stronghold on Bolivar Heights, "Stonewall" Jackson ordered cannons to the mountain tops and nearby plateaus. Pounded by a day and a morning of Confederate bombardment, Union soldiers felt the strain, "A general feeling of depression observable in all the men...All seem to think that we will have to surrender or be cut to pieces," wrote Union Private Louis B. Hull. We are as helpless as rats in a cage. Captain Edward Ripley, 9th Vermont — Map (db m5391) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Casualties of War |
| | "...We enter the barren wast of Bolivar Heights...a windswept deserted moorland...except its populous graveyard." James E. Taylor, war correspondent Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper August 10, 1864 Military discipline for desertion seldom resulted in execution during the Civil War. But in the last months of the war, two Union deserters suffered this fate on Bolivar Heights. William Loge, convicted of "being a deserter ... bushwhacker, murderer and assassin," was hanged . . . — Map (db m5355) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — A Union Predicament |
| | "Do all you can to annoy the rebels should they advance on you...You will not abandon Harpers Ferry without defending it to the last extremity." Maj. Gen. John G. Wool, USA Telegraph message to Col. Dixon S. Miles, USA September 7, 1862 The first large-scale Federal occupation of Harpers Ferry began in February 1862. Despite the destruction of the armory and arsenal the previous year, Harpers Ferry remained important in protecting Union communication and supply lines and in . . . — Map (db m5389) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Confederate Victory |
| | "The Rebels were all around us and our only refuge was the open canopy of heaven." Sgt. Charles E. Smith 32nd Ohio Infantry September 14, 1862 Thousands of Federal soldiers huddled in ravines on Bolivar Heights to escape the Confederate shells of September 14, 1862. By evening, the Federals were demoralized. Pvt. Louis B. Hull of the 60th Ohio Infantry wrote in his diary at sunset: "All seem to think that we will have to surrender or be cut to pieces." By 8:00 a.m. on . . . — Map (db m5387) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Fortifying Bolivar Heights |
| | "...the heights became dotted with tents, and at night...the neighboring hills were aglow with hundreds of watchfires..." Joseph Barry, Harpers Ferry resident October 1862 After the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, General Lee withdrew his Confederate army back into Virginia. Instead of pursuing Lee, Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan reoccupied the Harpers Ferry area with nearly 60,000 soldiers. While McClellan paused to reorganize and re-equip his army, President . . . — Map (db m5367) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Protecting the Supply Lines |
| | "...make all the valleys south of the Baltimore and Ohio [rail]road a desert as high up as possible...so that crows flying over it [Virginia] for the balance of the season will have to carry their provisions with them." Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, USA July 17, 1864 Securing Harpers Ferry as a supply base was essential during Union Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign in the Fall of 1864. In front of you are the weathered remains of Battery #1 overlooking the . . . — Map (db m5370) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Union Skirmish Line |
| | Union troops on the crest and slope of Bolivar Heights to the East were attacked by Confederates lead by Gen. Jackson from School House Ridge to the West on 14 Sept. 1862. Private Paylor, Co. D., 111th NY, recalled this as "an awful fight." This action helped defeat 12,000 Union troops at Harpers Ferry. Their surrender on 15 Sept. was the largest of Federal forces until Bataan, the Philippines, WW II, 1942. (Marker Sponsor): Harpers Ferry CWRT, American CWRT (UK) — Map (db m2944) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — From Skirmish Line to Burial Ground |
| | Some of the Union infantrymen who defended this ground on the night of September 14th returned the next day. Even though the Confederate strategy had won the battle for Harpers Ferry, and these Union soldiers were part of the largest surrender of United States troops in American history, these particular soldiers had unfinished business here. "Went to the foot of the hill to bury Disbrow, was shot in the head the knight before. Sad time. We buried him with overcoat and blanket wrapped . . . — Map (db m5398) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — We Began Firing At Will: The 111th New York Regiment |
| | "We went below and formed in line of battle and laid down on our arms. Sleep was out of the question but of course, human nature will succumb and drowsiness was general among the boys. It must have been nine O'Clock or more by this time. All of a sudden there came a blinding flash in front of our line. We were all alert in a moment and we got in line of battle as quickly as possible. We began firing at will for all we knew hardly a thing about military drill and didn't see anything to fire . . . — Map (db m5396) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — A Dangerous Position |
| | On the dark, moonless night of September 14, 1862, 100 men from the 126th New York Regiment established a skirmish line here. These men were new to the war, having only been in uniform for a few short weeks. After surviving a terrifying afternoon of relentless Confederate artillery fire, these young men were thrust into a dangerous and vulnerable position on the front line. If the Confederates wanted to attack this location, this was a good time to do it. "On Sunday evening, the second day . . . — Map (db m5397) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Five Rounds into the Darkness |
| | The 115th New York Regiment, young and inexperienced, formed a skirmish line here. When gunfire erupted on their left during the night, the men of the 115th must have felt the rush of adrenaline through their veins. Dander was headed in their direction. There was not time to think. For all they knew, a full-scale attack had begun and they were protected only by the darkness. "Sharp musketry began on our extreme left, it came rapidly toward us and soon we to were blazing away. We fired five . . . — Map (db m7816) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — The Confederate Perspective |
| | "General J.R. Jones was directed to make a demonstration against the enemy's right." Jackson's official report Confederate Colonel Edmund Pendleton wrote about the night of September 14, 1862, from his perspective across the road on School House Ridge. Pendleton and his men were facing this direction, holding the Union forces in check on Bolivar Heights behind you. "We lay upon our arms till nearly daylight, the quietude of the night being unbroken, save by a sharp musketry fire of . . . — Map (db m7796) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — A Position Strong by Nature |
| | In 1862 Union Colonel Dixon Miles thought that the ridge in front of you, Bolivar Heights, was the perfect place to defend Harpers Ferry. However, in September of '62, Colonel Miles and 14,000 Union soldiers found themselves surrounded by 24,000 Confederates led by "Stonewall" Jackson. From the Confederate position behind you on School House Ridge, one of Jackson's officers described Bolivar Heights as "a position strong by nature." Jackson agreed. He had no time for a siege and did not want to . . . — Map (db m5395) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — The First Line of Defense: The Union Skirmish Line |
| | After sunset on September 14, 1862, the Confederate cannons across the road on School House Ridge vanished in the darkness. The features of the landscape began to blur as the shell-shocked Union soldiers on Bolivar Heights wondered if they could survive another day of artillery bombardment. The Union troops could not rest until tomorrow, however, because General "Stonewall" Jackson's Confederate Army might charge over School House Ridge at any moment. To guard against such an attack, the Union . . . — Map (db m5394) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Battle of Harpers Ferry — Union Stronghold |
| | (Upper panel): Battle of Harpers Ferry Invasion rocked the United States during the second year of the American Civil War. In September 1862 Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched his army into Maryland - the North. Lee's first target became Harpers Ferry. He ordered "Stonewall" Jackson to make the attack. Here Jackson overcame great obstacles, defeating the Union during a three-day battle and forcing the largest surrender of U.S. troops during the Civil War. His victory at . . . — Map (db m5350) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — First Major Action |
| | On Sept. 13, 1862 Stonewall Jackson’s forces approaching from the west were shelled by 2 Union artillery guns under Col. Miles from this position. On Sept. 14, Gen. A.P. Hill outflanked these Union troops while Jackson swept past this location. Col. Miles surrendered over 11,000 men and valuable military stores on Sept. 15. He was killed by a stray shot. — Map (db m5856) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Sheridan Fortifications |
| | In August 1864, Gen. U.S. Grant ordered Gen. Phillip Sheridan to construct earth fortifications on Bolivar Heights. These forts faced northwest to protect against Confederate movements down the Shenandoah Valley to Harpers Ferry. This Sheridan trench is 300 yds. long with the south end protected by a hook embankment. Artillery positions were erected within the fortifications. This was the location of gun #5. — Map (db m5863) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — The Abatis |
| | During the construction of this fort, many of the trees which were located directly in front of these embankments were felled forming an “abatis”. This timber obstruction slowed the advance of the attacking forces so that snipers, infantry, and the artillery behind the fort could easily range in on the enemy. — Map (db m5872) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Infantry Positions |
| | Infantry troops occupied positions along these fortifications. The low height of the earth embankment at this location permitted the defending troops easy passage to and from the abatis without exposure. — Map (db m5878) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Gun Position #6 |
| | This gun protected the south end of the fort and was positioned to fire on flank movements. An outside picket trench, which can be seen ahead of the main embankment, protected the artillery crew. — Map (db m5879) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Home Becomes Battlefield |
| | The Civil War affected not only the soldiers who fought but the families whose homes and towns became battlefields. Edmund H. Chambers bought this farm in 1848 and lived here with his family until the Civil War. Although Chambers was a loyal Unionist, the Union confiscated his farm in 1862, forcing the family from their home. The U.S. Army arranged for an appraisal of the farm in the event of damage. At the war’s end Chambers found the property destroyed and filed a claim demanding restitution. . . . — Map (db m5885) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Struggle to the Heights |
| | Consider dragging 2,000-pound cannon up this ravine—at night. General A.P. Hill’s Confederates faced that task during the second night of battle. The assignment was essential to “Stonewall” Jackson’s plan to flank the Union army on the crest of Bolivar Heights. Hill’s men dragged artillery up this and other nearby ravines before rolling the cannon into position in the open field behind you. The names of these soldiers are not recorded in military reports about the event, but their labors soon changed the course of the battle. — Map (db m5889) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — The Fate of Harpers Ferry was sealed. |
| | A.P. Hill After an exhausting night of dragging 20 cannon along the river and up the ravines to this site on Chambers (Murphy) Farm, General A.P. Hill and his 3,500 men sprang their trap on the unsuspecting Union army. Before dawn on the last day of the battle, the Confederates aimed their cannon at the Union line, only 1,000 yards away. When the morning fog lifted Hill signaled his artillerymen to open fire. Startled but alert, the Federals vigorously returned the fire. But an hour later . . . — Map (db m5894) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Sheridan Dug In |
| | In August 1864 Harpers Ferry was again a Union stronghold. Union General Philip Sheridan and his men built this redoubt—the earthwork in front of you—as fortification against the Confederates. Sheridan’s objective was to stop the Confederates from skirting undetected along the Shenandoah River (below you) into Harpers Ferry. They had done so on three previous campaigns—Maryland (1862), Gettysburg (1863), and Washington (1864). The ravine to your right separated the redoubt . . . — Map (db m5896) |
| West Virginia (Jefferson County), Harpers Ferry — Mountains, Men, and Maneuvers |
| | Confederate Major General “Stonewall” Jackson could not see this view. His lower vantage on Schoolhouse Ridge, 1000 yards upriver, blocked his sight of this strategic position. Yet Jackson remembered this farm from his time as Confederate commander at Harpers Ferry during the first days of the war. He knew if he seized this ground he would threaten the rear of the Union army atop Bolivar Heights. Despite overwhelming odds, Jackson’s men secured the Chambers (Murphy) Farm and the . . . — Map (db m5892) |
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